5 Questions: Does Israel Need Rescue? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Shmuel Rosner - (Blog) May 20, 2008 - 4:04pm I got so much feedback to the interview with Jeffrey Goldberg two weeks ago (Is Israel finished? Five questions), that it was only natural to try a second round. This time, the topic is Goldberg's New York Times article, about "Israel's 'American Problem'". Goldberg is blogging here. Here is the (written) interview: » Read more

Cairo Is The Key ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ron Ben- Yishai - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 4:03pm The rush of Israeli politicians to the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh was more than a ceremonial move. Barak and Livni, and to some extent Benjamin Netanyahu as well, are currently managing a crucial phase in lull negotiations. However, we are not talking about indirect negotiations with Hamas via Egypt; rather, those are direct talks with Egypt over Cairo’s role in such deal. » Read more

America Is Tired ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Nahum Barnea - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 4:01pm President Bush stood up at the Knesset plenum last Thursday and said things that every Israeli would be touched by. One of the declarations that would be remembered from that speech expands the limits of America’s commitment to Israel and almost turns it into the 51st state. Should Israel need to defend itself, the president said, 300 million Americans will stand by the seven million Israelis » Read more

Gaza: 4 Palestinians Killed In Idf Strikes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews May 20, 2008 - 4:00pm Palestinian sources in Gaza reported Tuesday afternoon that two Palestinians were killed and five others were wounded by IDF artillery fire at a Gaza City neighborhood, raising the death toll in a series of IDF strikes to four. » Read more

Israel's Leading Team: An Unfulfilled Promise ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Nimrod Novik - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:59pm For decades, we Israelis have found ourselves frustrated by the shortcomings of our leaders and yearning for the miracle of a mid-life genetic mutation: an act of nature or nurture that would mesh the best in each and thus produce the ideal leader. » Read more

Don’t Depend On Outsiders For A Settlement Of Mideast Dispute ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Shlomo Avineri - (Opinion) May 20, 2008 - 3:58pm Israel’s 60th anniversary has come and gone. So, too, has President George W. Bush’s final visit to the Middle East. Amidst the celebrations and the soul-searching, no meaningful breakthrough in the deadlocked Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is visible. » Read more

Barak Warns Of Military Escalation In Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times May 20, 2008 - 3:57pm ISRAELI DEFENCE minister Ehud Barak warned on Monday after talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that continued rocket fire from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip could accelerate a military conflict in the territory. Barak told Mubarak, whose government is mediating a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, that "the ongoing rocket fire against civilian targets and terror activity from the Gaza Strip could accelerate an escalation towards a military conflict", his office said. » Read more

Bush's Heroes And Rogues ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Der Spiegel by Christoph Schult, Daniel Steinvorth And Bernhard Zand - May 20, 2008 - 3:57pm The refugees came in a magnificent white yacht, the Michka II. Under a brilliant blue sky, the boat glided smoothly into the harbor at Larnaca, on the east coast of Cyprus. Madame Habib, the wife of the Arab shipowner, bade farewell to her new friends with a peck on the cheek. Then the 12 elegantly dressed Lebanese passengers, with their fashionable sunglasses, handbags and trolley suitcases, disembarked. » Read more

Bush Castigated By Leading Palestinian ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald Macintyre - May 20, 2008 - 3:56pm President George Bush yesterday tried to reassure sceptical Arab leaders that by the end of the year he wanted a Palestinian state "defined", after being criticised for missing an opportunity to highlight the matter when he lavished praise on Israel last week. Speaking before Mr Bush met the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, a leading Palestinian negotiator and moderate, Saeb Erekat, said: "He should have told the Israelis no one can be free at the expense of others. He missed this opportunity and we are disappointed." » Read more

Symposium ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Quarterly by Various - May 20, 2008 - 3:55pm Israel's Arab citizens comprise 18% of its population yet have languished on the margins of Israeli society for decades. Failed peace talks and political stalemates have convinced a growing number that Israeli Arabs will not only play an important role in a peace settlement between Israel and her Arab neighbours but could also hold the key to the future internal stability, security and prosperity of the Israeli state. Empowering them with the necessary social and political muscle will require a rethink on the part of most Israelis. Here, four key workers consider the possibilities. » Read more